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Delta came out with 2 new portable table saws, models 36-6020 and 36-6022. At the time, I didn’t know what to think of the new saws, as the 36-6022 was announced as a Black Friday sale item.

What caught my renewed attention was the price of the 36-2020 – $349, down from a recent price of $419. So for $349 you get a portable table saw, and a roller stand. The saw by itself is $330.

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The saw and stand are connected differently than on other portable saw and roller stand combinations. It’s a “one-piece framework” design, with the saw’s base being integrated into the roller stand design. Delta says this is for more stability, and I assume it also contributes to less materials and lower costs.

Since the saw is also sold without a stand, model 36-6010, you *might* be able to remove the 36-6020 from its stand, but it definitely looks like it’s designed to be permanently attached to the included stand.

The table saw has an aluminum table top, measuring 19.56″ wide and 26″ deep, with a right-hand-side table extension and anti-friction coating. Table height is 34.75″.

15A motor

5000 RPM max

10″ blade size, 5/8″ arbor

Max cutting depth of 3.5″ at 90°, 2.5″ at 45°

Max rip capacity: 30″ right of blade, 7-1/4″ left

8″ dado stack compatible, max 13/16″ width

45° left max blade tilt

2-1/2″ dust port

Additional features include a large on/off switch, industry-standard tool-free split guard design, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls. The blade retracts below the table top for easy table clean-up [are there any modern saws where the blade doesn’t fully lower?]. There’s also an included outfeed support extension.

First Thoughts

I’m not sure what to think of these saw. Delta is no stranger to table saws, and their UniSaws are of course well regarded. It was the original focus on this as a holiday gift item that soured my impression a little.

Here’s what the original press release said about the 36-6022:

The perfect gift for the handyman on your list is the Delta 36-6022 ten-inch portable table saw. With a 30 inch right rip capacity and shop-grade power in a portable package it’s perfect for jobs around the house or woodworking projects where accuracy is critical. The mini-T Square fence with fully adjustable clamping force and telescoping rails make this saw the star of the jobsite or shop.

The coated table allows sheet goods or rough stock to slide easily, a rear support extension supports the work piece through the cut. Features include a strong tube-frame assembly with excellent dust collection, 2.5 in. dust port, handy cord wrap and single handle bevel adjustment plus this saw is protected by a 5-year warranty.

The UL Certified Table Saw 3-Way Tool-free Guard System- riving knife separates wood after the cut and with pawls help prevent kickback, while a split blade guard provides clear line of sight to the cutting area.

Available as a Black Friday Savings item: $229 only at The Home Depot stores and homedepot.com starting 11/24/2016.

What would you think if this was the only info you could find on the table saw? I only found the press release after a reader commented about the saw in my Black Friday 2016 Best Portable Table Saws Post. Maybe it was a little sooner than that? Still, my opinion was the same.

I wonder if the fence on the 36-6020 is better than the one on the 36-6022 saw. Which style would you prefer?

I had forgotten what the 36-6022 Black Friday price was. As mentioned above, it was the price drop of the 36-6020 model that caught my attention, as it dropped from $419 to $349 as reported in my Amazon wishlist.

$349 makes it competitive with a lot of pro-grade models on the market, but gives you a little more for less money, such as the outfeed extension and the roller stand.

I’m not sure this saw would make it to my shopping list, but that’s also because I’ve been using tables saws more and more and have a bigger tool budget than I used to. But I think it would definitely be on my radar if other models I was considering included $150 to $199 beginner DIYer models.

What I do like is that the saw and its stand look kind of bare. That’s a good thing. Speaking as someone that doesn’t often travel with a portable table saw, I don’t need a lot in a stand. It has open and close quickly, and it has to be sturdy. I’d guess that the costs were strictly controlled on these saws, and would be happy with a no-frills stand if it means no compromises in accuracy or performance. I’m hoping this is the case.

Are you open-minded about this new saw? I think I’d describe my current feelings as cautiously optimistic.

Did you buy one during the holiday season and have some feedback to share with us?

What has your experience with Delta been like? I have had very little experience with Delta tools.

19 Comments

I looked hard at the 6020 model as it came out at the time I was looking for a new device. And I was cross shopping to the ridgid, the bosch and the Dewalt. The dewalt fence setup and the model with the X stand is what ultimately sold me on that model. But The delta was a very close third to the bosch. My dewalt 7490 ends up taking up less space than the saws with the attached wheel stands. I didn’t need nor want a wheel stand.

The delta hits all the high points and their newer T fense system is indeed alot better. I don’t know it’s better than Dewalt’s though – on a portable.

I’ve recommended the Delta to a few people already – that didn’t want to spend the money on the Dewalt or the Bosch.

These saws offer nothing new. In fact a lot of them look like they were manufactured overseas and then companies slap their own label on it. I know they’re just job site saws but It’s important to offer a product that’s innovative and makes the customer go “Wow, that’s a must have feature!”

One of the reasons I bought the porter cable job site saw was because it was one of the very few, if not the only job site saw with a blade adjustment wheel on the side. Rather than sliding the height knob to the desired angle, which is barbaric unless you have a good digital angle gauge.

It seems like a lot of tools come out as “new” when the company is just putting their sticker on another product. Maybe change the design a bit. And it sucks because nothing new is being developed. But if the companies made their own saw with their own features it would cost the buyer a lot more due to the new manufacturing processes for the company specific tool.

I think it stems from the fact that there is little money in benchtop tools for the manufacture. Think about how often you “replace” a benchtop tool. They rather put their money in the cordless tools that you replace all the time so you are back for more. I think this is probably the driving factor behind the cordless table saws and miter saws coming out these days.

Probably also why you don’t see many new corded tools being introduced compared to cordless. It would not surprise me if I learned that there is a higher profit margin associated with the batteries. Plus cordless tools certainly don’t have the longevity in use like a corded tool – but convenience trumps longevity. Combine that with new features like “brushless motors” that entice you to upgrade – and its easy to believe that TTI, SBD, Bosch et. al. will continue to focus on small battery powered tools. May one consolation is that LiIon battery technology looks like it may have continued life left in it – not like the NiMH batteries that replaced NiCad’s for what seemed like the briefest of moments and then faded away.

It is hard to evaluate Delta these days – as the company has gone through several transitions – and their product line – even the Unisaw – seems a lot less expensive than what I paid for their heavy iron back in the mid-1970’s

Of course they are similar to others – as marketing dictates you make the same thing your competitor does. or so it seems.

and most of the feature make sense in general terms. ALso most of the execution is about the same. It’s not that surprising. I’m surprised nobody else has copied dewalt’s gear idea – oh right Hitachi did. does that mean they are made together – you know it might.

I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this was like or the same as the kobalt device. For the price it seems about right – the 6020 I looked at last summer seemed decently built – but the saw I had gotten rid of was a cheapo delta product from the early 2000’s. So I had that bad taste in my mouth anyway. WHich put the Bosch and the Ridgid above it in my mind. But to be fair it’s a decently working device.

I have the kobalt, and saw this after I snagged the black friday sale on the cobalt ($199). This does have a nicer fence. It moves better and locks down better. The kobalt with a good blade is a decent enough saw for a guy like me who doesnt have the space for a wood shop, but doesnt get to get out of building things like he does 😀

Between the two if I had it to do over again I would have nabbed the delta, but I dont mind my kobalt either.

I assume it’s Direct Drive and not belt, but that information should be in the first paragraph of any table saw article.

It looks remarkably like my cheap Skil brand table saw, which is not a high recommendation. I use the Skil for lumber cutting and carpentry, not fine cabinetry, so I utilize its usefulness within its limitations. The Skil jumps 2 legs off the floor when powered-on and vibrates for 15 seconds or more until it settles down enough to consider making a cut.

The only real information on how I would react depends on how much vibration and how much blade deflection under load. Until someone gets to try it and report back, there’s not much to say.

Is there a reliable table saw buying guide anywhere? I have Rigid on a wheeled cart (MSUV). I like the wheeled cart because I bring it out into the driveway or to the job. However, I feel the Rigid is under-powered and the fence is suspect. I guess what I’m saying is I’m in the market for a good all-around table saw on a cart.

I own the Kobalt and have been studying this picture. This Delta looks indistinguishable except for the color of course. I’m certain this is another private label from the same manufacturer. The Kobalt has been good to me though. I’m surprised how accurate it has been. The fence is kind of difficult to adjust and keep square. Most of what I need to rip is under 13″ wide, so I square the fence against the blade and slide the whole tray out to adjust. Then it’s square.

I been looking for a compact Job Site site table saw for home use for months, I diffinately had price in mind along with quality & ease of mobility for easy storing. I looked at the Rolls Royce of saws the Bosch with Gravity Stand but it was priced just to high for my limited use that I will be using it for. I seriously looked at the Dewalt but again was priced a little to high for me. I was going to purchase the Kobalt saw with folding wheeled stand, but I happened to be in the Home Depot for there black friday sales and Noticed the Delta 36-6022 table saw with the wheeled folding stand for $200, I could not let it go by at that price so I put it on a cart and went to the check out and the cashier said if If I open up a HD credit card I will save another $50 bucks. So I walked out the door with a great table saw Delta 36_6022 for $150 dollars. I have been using it for months now and it is just perfect for my use & best of all it opens & closes with ease so i can store it in the corner of my garage.

I bought my Delta 60-6022 job site saw about 2 years ago and continue to be very pleased with it. I’m a DIYer and it has more than met my needs. It has adequate power and never has bogged down on me even with rip cuts. While the fence isn’t perfect, the T-style design keeps it pretty accurate. Adjusting the blade angle is a little awkward but can get pretty accurate paired with an angle gauge. The rolling stand is very convenient and folds very easily when needed. I keep mine set up most of the time and find it to be stable enough especially when butted up to my separate out feed table. I am seeing some scoring it the coated aluminum table top which I’m going to have to remedy some how. Overall this has been a great saw for me not to mention the $199 Black Friday price tag!

I own the 36-6022 model (got it at HD for $229) and have been using it off and on for a couple of years. I would say it’s been light use. The saw was stored inside the house (climate controlled) and it certainly hasn’t seen production-level carpentry or even close.

When I was recently using it, I had to change the blade and put a 60 tooth on it and noticed the noise the motor was making. So I went back to the old blade, and the noise was a bit less but still not good. Since I owned the saw, it has had blade wobble. I could make acceptable cuts with it, but the blade arbor just isn’t true. It also seems to be slightly offset in relation to the table tracks. Anyway, when powering the saw down, the motor would just make this awful grinding noise. At first I thought it was brushes but now I think it’s the bearings. This saw has never been right, but it was “okay” to use for what I needed it for.

Anyway, it is nearing its end after moderately light use (I have a much older Ryobi that sitting in a moist shed that performs better now) — and it’s all because that arbor was never right. But in the beginning it wasn’t a big enough deal (nor did I know the full extent of the issue then) to do anything about it.

The fence was never right either. It’s heavy steel, with the cylindrical handle. It has it’s plus points but it isn’t super straight like an aluminum fence would be, and every time you’d lock the fence, it would shift inward toward the blade (when fence is on right side of blade). I tried adjusting it but I always ended measuring from back to front of blade to the fence and locking it while holding it.

Just a lot of issues, really. I also have the Ridgid 4513 portable table saw but hadn’t really use it yet. I got it because I loved the fence. I think it’s the best fence in that price class — that and the DeWalt one. The blade runs very parallel to the blade out of factory. The fence locks better (although shifts ever-so slightly when locking) and it is super straight unlike the Delta fence. The fence is also aligned with the blade well. Works well when paired with the Diablo 50T Combination Blade that I just installed.

Not sure what to do with the Delta saw now because it won’t last long this way, nor is it accurate. Otherwise, I love the higher foldable stand of the Delta. I’m tall and it is a better stand in my opinion than the Ridgid. The Delta also has a slide-out feed rail in the back, which does help a bit. The Delta is also more narrow, so when you want to enter a house with it, you have more clearance on each side than the Ridgid has.